The Mk 7 was Merlyn’s first F3 car, was also intended for F2 and often raced in Formula Libre. Based on a spaceframe chassis the car had aluminium sheet stiffening around the cockpit to increase the torsional rigidity. In period the Merlyn showed promise with Chris Irwin running well in several races, challenging Jackie Stewart on occasions and claiming a win at Aintree. A total of eleven Mk 7s were built in either F3 or F2 specification.
This example was originally owned and raced by John Bridges of Red Rose Motors fame. He bought two new Mk 7s from the factory, racing one in F3 and this car in Formula Libre with a Ford engine. Subsequent owners are recorded in the register, including spending a period in Belgium fitted with a Formula Junior engine.
The car is currently in Libre specification with a recently rebuilt all steel Connaught twin cam engine (producing 179 BHP) and a Hewland gearbox. In this form the car has competed in a handful of demonstration events and hillclimbs, including Chateau Impey. As such it offers a relatively low-cost entry into classic speed events and might also achieve invitation class entries to historic race series.
Alternatively the engine could be sold and the Merlyn converted back to original specification for the increasingly popular Historic F3 championship.
Complete with ownership history and two engine covers, one of which is unused.
